Families, young people and individuals are facing intensifying pressures rooted in structural inequities across housing, financial security, social services and community infrastructure.
These pressures are increasing demand for crisis responses, overwhelming frontline systems and undermining the aims of Victoria’s major reform agendas. The 2026–27 Budget, and subsequent priorities for the next Victorian Government, present a significant opportunity to shift from short‑term, reactive responses toward a strategic, early‑intervention approach that strengthens the foundations of wellbeing, reduces long‑term system costs, and delivers better outcomes for Victorians.
Uniting is a contemporary expression of the Uniting Church’s commitment to social justice and community care. Each year, Uniting supports tens of thousands of Victorians experiencing hardship through no fault of their own, but because systems are fragmented, inequitable or difficult to navigate. Frontline experience shows that people are not struggling in isolation; they are encountering long waitlists, rising living costs, inconsistent access to support and disconnected service pathways. These challenges are particularly acute for young people, people in regional and rural communities, and those facing compounding issues such as disability, trauma, family violence or housing insecurity.
Despite strong reform agendas across mental health, early childhood, family services, family violence and housing, many ambitions will not be realised without strengthened early intervention infrastructure and service capacity. Weaknesses in system navigation, workforce stability, service continuity, local access and cross‑system coordination continue to push people into crisis pathways that are significantly more costly and less effective than earlier, preventative responses. Closing the gap between reform intent and lived experience requires coordinated investment in both system design and delivery capability.
To respond to these challenges, Uniting recommends four priority reform packages, supported by a series of portfolio‑specific recommendations:
A. Social Service System Navigation Package
A statewide, early‑intervention navigation function embedded across universal services, family services, allied health, The Orange Door and regional pathways. This package supports families, young people and carers to access the right supports earlier, reduces administrative burden, and prevents conditions escalating into crisis.
B. Youth Wellbeing and Stability Package
A coordinated investment addressing youth housing insecurity, declining social and emotional wellbeing, shrinking youth outreach capacity and fragmented transitions through adolescence and early adulthood. The package strengthens early intervention, improves transitions from care, expands developmentally appropriate housing options and builds opportunities for belonging and connection.
C. Housing Stability and Connection Package
A comprehensive response that expands safe and suitable housing, strengthens tenancy sustainment, reduces reliance on unsafe motel accommodation, funds assertive outreach—including in regional areas—and connects housing to mental health, alcohol and other drug, family violence and disability supports. Stable housing underpins all other wellbeing outcomes.
D. Sustainable Community Services Sector Package
A foundational investment in the community services sector through long‑term, stable funding arrangements that reflect the true cost of service delivery, support workforce stability and capability, and provide fit‑for‑purpose infrastructure. This package ensures that early‑intervention and crisis responses can be delivered consistently, effectively and at scale, enabling reforms to achieve their intended impact over time.
Together, these packages form a coherent reform agenda that strengthens early intervention, improves system integration and ensures that government investment delivers lasting value. Critically, they recognise that policy reform and service delivery capability are inseparable—without a sustainable, well‑resourced community services sector, even the strongest reform frameworks will fall short.
The choices made in the 2026–27 Victorian Budget will shape the wellbeing of communities for decades. Investing in early intervention, youth stability, housing security and a sustainable community services sector will reduce crisis demand, improve long‑term outcomes and ensure existing reforms achieve their purpose.
With strategic investment and genuine partnership, Victoria can build systems that are coordinated, accessible and centred on dignity, safety and opportunity. Uniting stands ready to work alongside government to deliver an inclusive, connected and just Victoria—where no one is left behind.
